The Lowdown on Those Free Credit Scores

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 provided individuals with valuable rights to the credit information that companies keep on them, but did you know the credit score provided to you may be different from the one provided to lenders?

The first thing you should know is that you have a right to see your credit report once annually without cost. To receive your free credit report you can visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com. This report will contain important information that may affect your credit score.

While your credit report can be obtained for free, your credit score will cost you money, except if you have been denied a loan on the basis of your credit score, in which case you may obtain your credit score for free.

Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, which takes into account past and current credit activities, including any late payments, judgments, liens, bankruptcies and foreclosures.

When you see an offer for getting your free credit score, it may be a marketing-driven incentive to get you to sign up for a fee-based credit monitoring service. The score may be only available at no cost if you agree to sign up for a trial subscription and don’t cancel prior to the end of that trial period.

The Dirty Little Secret of Credit Scores

Before you purchase your credit score, understand that the methodology used to calculate the score you buy is different from that used to determine the credit score lenders receive.

There are hundreds of methods for calculating an individual's credit score, and many lenders use private models with proprietary outcomes. Still, the correlation between the various possible scores is high (90%), says the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In other words, a "good" credit score by one standard will likely also be "good" by another.¹

While knowing your credit score may be important, it may be more vital to review your credit report to correct any errors that may be hurting your score and take the necessary steps to improve your credit profile.

WalletHub.com, June 22, 2016

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2019 FMG Suite.

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The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information.
The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals
for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by
FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named
representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and
material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or
sale of any security.

Copyright 2019 FMG Suite.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Additional investment advisory services offered through Financial Dimensions Group, Inc. a registered investment adviser not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Insurance services offered through Peter Eliason and Arik Jacobson independently of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. does not offer tax or legal advice. Eliason Financial Associates is a marketing designation. All other listed entities are unaffiliated.

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